Does anyone really need a recipe for garlic bread? I mean, garlic + butter + bread = it’s impossible to imagine a bad outcome. And yet I do use one. I mean, prior to today it was in my head and did not include baguette weights because despite the impression this site might give you, I’m not that crazy upstairs. I use a recipe because like most people in the year 2016, I don’t take carb consumption lightly, and garlic bread is even more of a rare luxury. Because of this, if I’m going to make it I don’t want it to be almost right but could use a little more salt, or too much garlic and too little butter, and absolutely not pale and soggy or crouton-hard. I want each time I make it to be like the best time I ever had it, a beacon of bronzed edges, lightly drenched with garlic butter with a whiff of herbs and a kiss of salty heat.
I want this.
I want you to have it too.
… with a great big pot of easy meatballs, with a pile of crispy zucchini chips and a dollop of marinara, with a perfect green salad, so earnest, you might even earn seconds of bread or with a humble bowl of broth with beans and greens, for balance.
One year ago: Artichoke Gratin Toasts
Two years ago: Baked Eggs with Spinach and Mushrooms
Three years ago: Bee Sting Cake
Four years ago: Banana Bread Crepe Cake with Butterscotch
Five years ago: Blackberry and Coconut Macaroon Tart
Six years ago: New York Cheesecake
Seven years ago: Artichokes Braised in Lemon and Olive Oil and Chewy Amaretti Cookies
Eight years ago: Fork-Crushed Purple Potatoes and Whole Wheat Apple Muffins
Nine years ago: Potato Rosemary Bread
And for the other side of the world:
Six Months Ago: The Broccoli Roast
1.5 Years Ago: Fall-Toush Salad
2.5 Years Ago: Lazy Pizza Dough + Favorite Margherita Pizza
3.5 Years Ago: Quickie Chicken Noodle Soup
4.5 Years Ago: Apple Pie Cookies
Garlic Bread
My go-to garlic bread has always been 1 minced garlic clove and about 1/8 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper flakes per 2 tablespoons of melted butter, plus some parsley to finish because it just doesn’t look right without it. I use about twice this for half a baguette. But when I’m being fancy, I can’t resist the “with the works” effect of Carbone-style garlic bread, with oregano, parmesan and chives on top too.
1 large (about 12 ounces), not-too-firm seeded baguette
8 tablespoons (115 grams or 4 ounces) unsalted or salted butter (if salted, skip the salt below), cut into chunks
4 medium cloves garlic, minced
Pinches of red pepper flakes, to taste
1/2 teaspoon coarse or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
1/3 to 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan or aged pecorino cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon minced chives (optional)
Heat your oven’s broiler. Line a large baking sheet with foil to limit the mess you make. Cut baguette lengthwise and arrange pieces cut side up in pan. Put butter, garlic, pepper flakes and salt in a small saucepan and melt over medium-high heat, stirring, until garlic is sizzling in the butter (but not browning). Remove from heat and stir in oregano, if using. Spoon evenly over bread. Sprinkle bread with parmesan, if using, and broil — keeping a close watch on it and turning it as needed for even coloring — for 2 to 3 minutes. Seriously, watch it like a hawk. Nothing’s sadder than under- or over-cooked garlic bread.
Remove from oven, sprinkle with parsley and chives, if using, and cut into segments. We keep extras in foil in the fridge and rewarm them in the oven, but you know it’s always best on the first day.
five bucks says you’ve tried this with a poached egg on top
It is always a good time for garlic bread!
Yum! My dairy allergic sister makes a vegan version involving roasted garlic blended into a paste with olive oil that is out of this world, but this looks far more weeknight manageable and I’m a sucker for tradition anyway.
Yes! I’ve been hoping for this post for so long!
Yes! I, too, have been meaning to ask you to post about garlic bread.
The recipe looks super-great, and I adore your attention to detail, but honestly this post is worth it for the photos alone. The bronzing, my lands!
The instructions say to sprinkle on Parmesan twice – not that i would ever object to double cheese on anything, but perhaps the second one should be parsley?
Speaking of American dinner staples, I’m looking for a recipe for glazed carrots… hint, hint?
Grace — Thanks, now fixed.
Ashe — I’ll get thinking about it. :)
Thank you for making the sacrifice to work through all of the slightly imperfect garlic breads to give us this ultimate garlic bread. And it may be the pastry cook in me, but I love that you give a weight measurement for the bread. It’s so accurate and easy!
I never thought I needed a recipe for garlic bread until I saw this one!
Yum! Have you tried adding dill too? Tracy from Shutterbean dies this in her Killer garlic bread. It kicks it to a new level!
These do look like absolute perfection! But when I’m in a hurry, I just toast bread, rub it with a clove of garlic, and then drizzle olive oil or spread with butter. Anything else is just gilding the lily (though I would never say no to it!!!).
Mouthwatering, again.
You read my mind! I so badly want to eat garlic bread but the store bought ones leave a lot to be desired. Dinner tonight will include garlic bread. Hope I can score some more fresh bread!
I am so glad you want us to have this too. Any recommendations on where to purchase said “not-too-firm seeded baguette” in NYC or even elsewhere?
Any opposition to fresh oregano in place of the dry? I’m assuming I’d up the amount. And I’m with you on making those carbs count. I want my garlic bread to be nothing short of magical. ;)
Zoe — Grocery store! Seriously, all of those firm-crusted big-hole proper French baguettes can get too hard under the broiler. This was labeled a semolina baguette at Westside Market, which gave it a yellow-ish tinge.
Jennifer — I have not. Glad to hear it’s a hit.
Allyson — Heh. It’s all about the proportion of butter to bread, so if you’re using a much bigger baguette, it’s going to seem under-drenched, right? And what a travesty that would be.
Stephanie — You could double and mince it.
Simple, yet beautiful garlic breads. Can we add garlic in the bread batter and bake it. I think it gives even more depth of flavor to the bread. If anyone has tried it please comment.
This looks yummy. You know what else is good? Stick a whole head of garlic on the grill or in the oven with other stuff and let it cook slowly. Then pull out the confit cloves and smash ’em onto bread. I first had that years ago at a pizza joint in Brooklyn at the corner of President and Clinton (an unforgettable crossroads) and it’s always a winner. I think the pizza place is gone though.
Well I’ve made garlic bread out of the recipe inside my head. It turned out disgusting. I’m making this next time! Thanks.
Deb, thank you!!! I made your weeknight meatballs and was dying to know your garlic bread recipe to go with them!
I think garlic bread definitely needs a recipe! Sure, it’s easy, but some are better than others. This looks great!
I made your everyday meatballs last night with a big Ceasar salad. We also had garlic bread, but buttered, broiled and rubbed with the clove. ( Italian tomato bread style) I usually make it similar to this recipe, but it is so addictive, I can’t control myself. I agree with you, it has to be really good or not worth the carbs. The simpler version is fine when you have all that lovely marinara sauce to sop up. Such a perfect dinner, great bottle of red and some friends. Two of my favorite things to eat. Thanks again Deb, you always know :)
Have you ever tried drizzling honey over your garlic toast before you bake it? It sounds weird, but its pretty much the best thing EVER.
I love it. Bravo.
I didn’t know I needed this, but I definitely do. My garlic bread is always hit or miss, and I know I can trust you, Deb!
Longtime reader who just wants to thank you! I enjoy reading your posts so much :) It makes my day that much better.
Agreed!
This recipe looks good but the recipe for the perfect garlic bread was published years ago in The Garlic Lover’s Cookbook. The recipe is Mary’s Garlic Bread.
Aah, so sad that I ate dinner already :( Definitely trying this tomorrow, I know I can always trust your tastebuds (did that sound weird or what?).
One question; everytime I make garlic bread the garlic ends up tasting burned… not that I really care but I had some comments about this. I see that you cook the garlic twice (first in the pan, then the oven) and you don’t encounter this problem? Or are you one of those people that like the weird taste of burned garlic? Not judging of course…
Do you know Tordu? It is a bread similar in shape and size to baguette but slightly rounder-no pointy ends–and slightly bigger in circumference. My local world class bakery does them both daily and I have left baguette behind in favor of this softer loaf that does not get too hard under the broiler.
Love this recipe btw–hate measuring so I’m more a cook that a baker but I can handle measuring to make perfect garlic bread!
My mother makes a similar version except uses softened butter, which i find easier to distribute via spreading, and adds lemon juice! it’s so good with the hit of acid.
The only problem with garlic bread is it’s all I want and there’s never enough.
We had this with dinner tonight (grilled romaine for balance) and it was seriously awesome! Thank you!
…and making this to top with your everyday meatballs because, well, I can! Yum!
For the other NYers out there, Fairway’s cheapest, basic baguette is about about $2, as soft as possible while still being a “baguette,” and batches come out of the oven several times a day. I’ll have to see if they have a seeded version.
@ Adriana – best giggle all week. Love that you got that in on the First Post.
I let out an audible “yes!” when I saw this recipe. Since your every day meatballs I’ve been dying to learn your garlic bread recipe (like you, I rarely have garlic bread, and when I do, I want it to be perfect). Can’t wait to try this!
Also, I made your sheet pan chicken tikka and want to thank you for the line, “1 1/4 pounds (about 4 medium) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled if desired.” After a long day at work, I really appreciate that your recipes aren’t fussy and maximize time. Do I desire the extra step of peeling potatoes? Nope!
steph’s suggestion @lemon juice is good – or as I do, some lemon zest. PLUS I agree with her @well softened butter – easier to distribute than melted butter. I’ve done both.
ADDITIONALLY – the merest dusting of paprika adds an attractive rustico patina to my garlic bread.
Besides that, the recipe inside MY head that I’ve made many times is more or less your recipe here.
Crunch.
Is there anything such as too much garlic ;) ? This recipe looks amazing though, will need to try this weekend.
oooh yum! I could eat my weight in tis. So golden and garlicky. Swoon.
Oh man, looking at the photo of that loaf of semolina bread makes me so homesick for New York. I live in Massachusetts now, where there are a few places to get really good “fancy” bread and lots of terrible (inedible in my opinion) supermarket bread. Good old New York supermarket semolina Italian bread does not exist here. Don’t take it for granted!
I just made pretzel rolls from one of your older recipes, looked at this and thought pretzel garlic bread. It might freshen up no longer fresh rolls.
perfect timing on this one – it happens to be national garlic day! as if we need just one day to celebrate garlic…it’s more of a daily celebration at our house ;0) looks delish!
I slice my bread and after using my garlic butter I put a thin slice of onion and a slice of swiss cheese between each slice then I put the loaf back together, garlic butter the top, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, wrap in foil and bake at 400 degrees for 20 mins. YOWSER!!
Re Bill (45), yes, this looks fab, but it also made me nostalgic for garlic bread that was sliced vertically into little slices, maybe not even all the way through, and then buttered between each slice and wrapped in foil – not crisp or lightly toasted, but full of melted butter. Or maybe I’m just nostalgic, period. Okay, back to correcting reading assignments at 2 am – this was a lovely break, Deb.
Ahh, I wish I could eat real garlic bread but I have an intolerance to garlic that is too painful and uncomfortable to even tempt me to cheat. However, for those of you who are also garlic sensitive, I have made this with garlic salt and for some reason, I am fine, no reaction (not so with garlic powder, garlic granules or jarred minced garlic, all 3 of those will kill me).I use plenty of Parmesan and a sprinkling of garlic salt and everyone seems perfectly happy despite being cheated out of real garlic.
Perfect. I’m so making this, although I bet I cannot talk to anyone for the rest of the day, but I don’t care!
Looks so so delicious!
Can’t find the picture of the kids….???? I mean, food and recipes on SK is a great thing, but some of us are here to see those cute kids!
I love the sound of your parmesan, kale and bean soup too.
Something asked if there is ever such a thing as too much garlic. The answer is yes, if you are a nursing mother. My firstborn went on a nursing strike when his dad made dinner and used WAY too much garlic!
Sounds great; bet it tastes even better.
Great idea right before Passover!! But sometimes my garlic turns a greenish color.. It’s doesn’t taste different just off putting color wise. Do you know why that happens?
maybe not a recipe, but a method for garlic bread was something i did go looking for awhile back. because it seems so simple but can turn out so “eh” or even bad, which is ridiculous. especially if you’re like me and don’t like crusty aka hard bread.
i personally like toasty but soft garlic bread so i buy plain ol’ unsliced sub rolls from the grocery store, and slice them down but not through (think hasselback bread!), slather in between each thick mini slice with garlic butter mix, wrap in foil, bake for 15 then open the foil and bake another 5. (both time & oven temp are flexible which is awesome if you’re cooking other stuff.) the mix is softened butter, lots of garlic minced with sea salt into a paste, fresh basil or parsely, and stir in olive oil until the mixture looks like cottage cheese. the olive oil is key. pull apart garlic bread.
#49 miriam – the photo is in the very first paragraph (“best time”) and it is flippin’ adorable as usual! :)
pps, if peeps still haven’t made the “everyday meatballs” yet they totally should! made them again this past friday, they were inhaled as usually. and tonight is the mustard chicken milanese & salad with pickled onions, another favorite. between those and the red potato blue cheese tart on monday, it has been a very [delicious] SK week here :)
Lynn – did you ever try the following: cook garlic in butter (lots of garlic) on a very low temperature. The butter will infuse with the taste. Then strain out the garlic. You get the flavor without the pieces of garlic. I’ve used this method with others that cannot digest garlic and they have no pain at all. You would need to play around with amounts – I use larger cloves that are banged under the bottom of a glass – not minced, so they do not burn as easily and can simmer longer.
Vickie — I’m pretty sure it has to do with a reaction with the salt used. A turquoise color, right? What kind of salt do you use for cooking?
Burnet garlic taste — I ABHOR this but have never gotten it here. We’re not cooking the garlic in the butter, just letting it hiss for a few seconds so it’s really well infused. (Plus, we need to melt the butter anyway.) No brown bits. In fact, I cringe when a recipe says to saute garlic in a pan of oil for 2 minutes because I find it to be burnt city at that, more like 30 seconds, tops.
@51 Vickie — I’ve never looked into the scientific explanation for it, but I’ve had garlic turn turquoise greenish too. Very weird. Now I’ve *researched*. Here you go…http://www.foodsafetysite.com/consumers/faq/?m_knowledgebase_article=14
cR — Thank you!
I’m so drooling looking at this bread! Yum!
Love the idea of adding hot pepper flakes – my go to garlic bread recipe is cooks illustrated: For one loaf of artisanal bread – 9-10 medium garlic cloves, skins left on; 6 T. unsalted butter, softened; 2 T. grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 t. salt
Their trick is to roast the garlic gloves – you can do in ven, or I do in cast iron skillet, then mash with butter, salt, cheese, and spread on loaf, bake etc…
The roasting is easy and genius – no harsh garlic flavor, but a mellow one lots of it; also can make spread ahead of time and keeps better. I think il stick with their method, but really like the herb and spice add ins
I only have one word to add…mozzarella!
Just a little slice of heaven!!!!
If you’re having a dinner party, can you make it an hour or 2 before, or will it harden too much?
RG — For something like this, I would usually vote for just making it right then because it only takes 2-3 minutes to finish, less time than it would take to rewarm. Still, if rewarming, just wrap all the pieces in a big foil packet and heat them in the oven until warmed through; should be just fine.
OMG! I made this tonight to go with my pre-planned pasta dinner. It was so incredibly unbelievably awesome! Best garlic bread. Thank you!!!!
Deb, I use diamond crystal kosher salt. Should I use regular table salt instead? Or sea salt?
Vickie — This is what I use (Diamond) as well.
And yes totally turquoise. We still eat it and it’s delish. Just funny looking! And almost always happens when I have company of course!
Some might not be crazy about this idea, bur for an authentic Sicilian flavor, you could throw some anchovies on top.
Yummy! Sometimes the easiest things can be made spectacular.
No doubt, you are making some excellent points with regard to salt, butter and garlic ratios, but for me, first and foremost, it’s about bread. I don’t like baguettes from local bakeries where I live. After months and months of DIYing, I finally can say I can bake a perfect (to me) baguette. That baguette I can eat alone and it tastes amazing. It’s even better with butter. That baguette will make perfect garlic bread. Poorly tasting bread will not make great garlic bread, unfortunately.
Just wanted to let you know I still love when I see a light gray linked word and get to see a pic of your kids!
Hi deb! Looks delicious. If you don’t mind me asking, I was wondering who you are in support of for president?
This recipe is excellent! Bread was so tasty that my hubby and kids could not leave the kitten unless they eat all bread I made!! I strongly recommend.
Any thoughts on how well this would freeze? I know bread doesn’t usually freeze well but is generally OK in toasted form. Once it’s baked, I know I’ll eat all of it, so sticking half in the freezer before baking seems prudent…
This garlic bread makes me hungry! I love the way you have prepared it to perfection. Garlic bread is a classic and always tasty snack. Thank you for the recipe :-)
I just made a big batch of your everyday meatballs and was thinking “wow that garlic bread looks fabulous, I wish that Deb would post the recipe.” I checked back in today and was like “OMG woman! How did you read my mind!? What sorcery is this this!?”
Everyone says they love this bread. Yet, they seem to want to add more stuff to it. I enjoy the simple goodness of your actual recipes. After all, what is a recipe?
Yummy it is! Garlic breads are my favorite food that I prefer in my train journey because it is easy to carry. I hope your recipe will make it more delicious my garlic breads. Keep sharing wonderful recipes.
Was I the only one who read the recipie tags as ‘Quick! Put an egg in it!’?
Ali — Noted. ;)
Deb I cannot wait to make this! With your meatball recipe!! I NEVER eat garlic bread anymore (or a lot of bread at all for that matter) but this is totally and absolutely worth the splurge!!!!! Thank you for a delicious looking recipe! I am looking forward to making it this week :-)
P.S. What is with all the Spam on this post?! My goodness…
The greatest garlic bread I ever had was at Commanders Palace in New Orleans which has a sprinkling of dill. This one may win that over! Thx!
Some time, try adding fresh lemon zest, pepper, and a little dill. Or dill, parsley, and basil. The lemon combines wonderfully with the garlic, and the fresh herbs take it over the top.
What a wonderful indulgence! The baguette was a little small making the butter amount a little too much…no regrets!
I’m with Mels (#87) here…what’s with all the, ahem, () incorrect people here….
I don’t like garlic bread, finding it (even my own) unevenly buttered-soggy. But you make yours sound great :)
I made this tonight and LOVED it! It’ll be what I do to make garlic bread from
Now on. (I had actually never made garlic bread before this). I also only had a 6oz baguette but, except the butter, didn’t have any of he ingredients and I loved it!
*didnt halve any of the ingredients
Wait – I also cut the cheese in half. Geez! Sorry for taking up 3 comments to say what I meant to say in the first comment!
Ah, yes! Thank you for posting this. I have not used a recipe for this in the past and always end up with large croutons instead of gorgeous bread… now I know it’s all about the quick broil :)
Sonia — I have to be honest and say I’d rather have an unmedicated root canal than discuss presidential politics and am unsure of how I’ll make it to November. That said, I can’t imagine I’m very hard to pin down (female, Lower East Side-dwelling, Jewish, farmer’s market-shopping, liberal arts education…) :)
I’m about to fake sick, leave work, and instantly make and eat this entire thing…YOU SHALL BE MINE GARLIC BREAD!
This looks extremely tasty, but the real reason I am commenting is to suggest something for your website. I love all of your recipes and am a huge fan. I refer to your site weekly, but I would love to know how long a recipe takes from start to finish. In my mind it looks something like: “Serves 4 takes 1.5 hours to make.” I know this sounds nit-picky, but I think that I would not be the only one to benefit from an addition like this. Just a suggestion. Thanks.
Deb, this looks great — but just checking in to see if everything is OK? It’s been a week and I keep coming here looking for Passover recipes, since Passover started last Friday night … and seeing this garlic bread taunting me! While it does look great, I expected something that would be more holiday-appropriate, or at least not *quite* so unkosher for Passover. Hope you and your family are well!
Hilary — Thank you! Everything is a-okay. I had hoped to have a new cool chocolate thing to share last week, alas, it flopped. Then we were out of town for a long weekend and now suddenly it’s almost Wednesday! (You can tell this is a one-person operation, times like this.) New recipe tomorrow and I hope, another late this week.
Linda — I agree! I’d like to add this piece of information in the future. (Of course, I’m always so bad at estimating because I’m a huge slowpoke in the kitchen.)
it looks too delicious,wonderful article thank you for your post.
Glad you are OK, and your vacation sounds fabulous! So luxurious to go away without the kiddos, I know, being the mother of two myself (ages 4 and 2).
When I was a kid, my mom made garlic four times a week. When their were extra pieces, I’d take them outside to play after dinner. I was known as the garlic bread kid! I WILL be making this.
Made this tonight and it was such a delicious treat. I make garlic toast all the time, but I never melted the butter I just put the softened butter on, which was clearly a mistake. I used a fancy-pants sourdough loaf I bought from a local bakery I have been meaning to try for ages, and it was wonderful.
Hi there! I love garlic bread, and this recipe looks delicious! It’s so hard to find really good garlic bread recipes, and homemade bread is the best! I will definitely have to try this recipe soon, especially when we have spaghetti or really any noodle dish. I really liked that you added the option of mincing chives to add to the bread. I bet that is going to be really tasty.
Deb, we have become devotees of garlic confit and keep a glass jar of melting soft, delish cloves in the fridge (or freezer). Some folks worry about botulism but Thomas Keller is among the unworried fans. Makes garlic bread a snap, we put them in just about everything from ricotta toasts to French onion soup.
Hi Deb,
I have to say, I don’t normally comment on blogs/recipes etc…but I made these last Friday for the first time while entertaining some friends. Honestly – BEST.RECIPE.EVER!!! My friends are STILL talking about it and cannot stop raving about it – great thing is, this was such an easy recipe too. This was a side dish and totally stole the spotlight from the main dish :) I’ve tried a number of your recipes and all have been amazing. I tell all my friends now if they want a reliable recipe source to come to your site!!!! Thank you for all that you do!
I think, this will be added to Saturdays sous steak dinner. This garlic bread looks like the perfect complement to it.
Thank you for this recipe! My two young daughters are pretty particular eaters, but they love garlic bread. They gave this recipe two big thumbs up. The youngest said, “Mom, it’s like eating at a fancy restaurant.” The oldest said, “it’s like heaven in my mouth.” This was so easy and fast. I don’t usually follow a recipe. I just wing it with fairly good results. But this is my new go-to recipe. I will be making this again (and again, and again…). “delicious!” “awesome!”
Make this tonight, so good!
Easy to cook and lovely to serve. Good one
Hi Deb – our oven doesn’t have a broil only setting. What temperature should we set it to? Thanks!
Highest it goes and nearest to the heat source; mostly you want to brown it before it hardens all the way through.
This was really good, made it with the extra options! Do watch out with the salt when also using pecorino, and my broiler was much faster than the 2 to 3 minutes.
This garlic bread lives up to its name – perfect! I like my garlic on the mellow side, while he can’t get enough, so I made my toasts with mostly just the butter, and a few garlic bits, and I piled them onto his. Delicious.
Looks so good I want to go directly to the supermarket!
When you say turn it do you mean turn the pan or turn the bread? Like flip non-cut side up etc.?
Rotating the tray or pieces, not flipping them over. My broiler will brown very unevenly so it’s necessary; you might be fine.
Looks perfect to go with those meatballs we’re gonna make this weekend!
Sounds delish and quick in a pinch, but for me the BEST garlic bread always starts off with roasting a whole head of garlic. That extra step makes all the difference.
Made this tonight and it was wonderful! Thank you.
SOOOO GOOD! You could almost say perfect! I would use more red pepper flakes next time because I went cautiously and held back but other than that perfection! I paired this with the three ingredient tomato sauce and stuffed myself with ALL. THE. CARBS. Now I’m in a food coma of happiness! Will 100% make my garlic bread this way in the future. Also I will probably use the microplane next time instead of fooling around with the garlic chopping (I’m lazy!)
My mom was sick so I made this along with spaghetti. My dad loved it – said it was restaurant quality!!
Great recipe, worked like a charm. And yes, I’ve been guilty of way overcooking (burning) my garlic bread, or not using enough garlic, etc….
But oops, life interrupted my plans, I didn’t make this the day I bought my baguette and 2 days later it was pretty dry. So I searched the internet and found a remedy. I ran the bread under water, then wrapped it tightly in foil. I set it into a cold oven, set it for 300º and baked it 12 minutes (instructions say 10-12, depending on loaf size). I took it out, unwrapped it and stuck it back in the oven for 5 more minutes. Wow! Fresh bread!
Then I proceeded to make the garlic bread and didn’t burn it. The final result was buttery, garlicky and tasted like the baguette had been freshly baked that afternoon. Yay, me!
Hi Deb — I have three quick questions I really hope you can answer for me:
Until I made this recipe I had never used a broiler for anything. I discovered that the there is a Hi and a Lo option/setting; I don’t know if that is typical but am just guessing that it is.
So, anyway, your recipe doesn’t make any mention of which setting to put the broiler on. Which is it, the Hi or the Lo?
And, on what rack level? If I were to place it on the highest rack, I wouldn’t be able to see the bread to monitor it at all. It would also cook even faster than it already did, and I don’t think that would work at alllllll.
Lastly, as you know, garlic can go from fine to browned (and therefore, bad), rather quickly. So, I really have to wonder, reading the directions I can only conclude that one is to include the garlic on the bread when they pour the butter. But, if one does so, how do you avoid browning or burning the garlic under the broiler? It seems almost a given that the garlic will get overcooked under the broiler.
I have made this twice, now. The first time, the bread cooked muuuch faster than what I was expecting, based on the ‘recipe.’ So, unfortunately, it got fairly burnt. The second time, I was much more prepared. But some of it still got a littttttle charred. That said, I still liked it very much.
Thanks!
My broiler doesn’t have a high and low, so just experiment and see what happens, i.e. start low and increase to high if it’s not moving along quickly.
I use finely minced or pressed garlic so it’s quite pulpy and a relatively soft-inside baguette or batard, so garlic burning hasn’t been an issue. The garlic butter absorbs. I imagine with more coarse garlic (that would sit on top) or a more dense bread (not enough softness to quickly absorb), it could go another way.
Tim, I use high, for 3 minutes, then check it, adding 1 minute at a time till its nice and browned
Thank you, Erik! Much appreciated.
My broiler must be *extra* hot, as the bread began to burn between the 1:30 and 1:45 mark.
What rack level do you use, or approximately how many inches away from the broiler element? Thanks!
I have bread making machine. I tried to make garlic bread but every time I make, it will turn hard after baking. Can I have the goods recepe for baking garlic bread because my daughter love garlic bread. What flour that i need to add. I will use plain flour or bread flour. Plse advice. Thks
Here’s a basic French Baguette recipe written for bread machines. It will yield 2 baguettes. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/7028/french-baguettes/
You can let the first rise happen in your bread machine if you like. If your machine has a custom setting, give it a normal mix/knead time and set the rise for 30 minutes. The finished crust on this bread will be soft. If you want a crustier loaf, just omit the egg wash.
Honestly, this is the best thing that my oven has ever produced. Thank you!
I never write responses but I made the garlic bread along with “parmed” everyday meatballs and it was incredible. Big hit. Have made several Smitten Kitchen receipes, cucumber salad over hummus also a big hit. Congratulations on your success!
YUM! Totally perfect
This was soooo good! I made it last night and ate it for breakfast this morning. I’m sure it’ll become a regular in our house 😊
Great Recipe, I’ve tried this recipe using the garlic grater and it works great! https://modernkitchenmaker.com/blogs/news/10-kitchen-gadgets-youll-never-understand-how-you-lived-without
Exactly how I do it! but I melt the butter in a microwave. People know you love then when you make this 🤩
Delicious! Will be making again for sure. Served it with the ‘Silky Cauliflower Soup’. Don’t skimp on the parmesan! Thanks Deb, yet another SK triumph.
This is amazing. Very good. What garlic bread should be.
This is perfection. My new go-to for garlic bread.
Amazing, amazing, amazing. What an upgrade from the frozen stuff. Thanks, Deb.
Wow, that actually is perfect garlic bread and will be our recipe going forward. (Yes, did chives and oregano and just a touch of mozz.)
Here’s something fun: I made Bernard Clayton’s Italian bread for this, and since the dough was too slack to form into long loaves, I baked it in sandwich loaf pans (still topped with sesame seeds). Tasted great. I sliced it generously and proceeded as the recipe’s written, except that I also added to the butter the sesame seeds that fell off the loaves. Delectable, and a perfect match for your everyday meatballs (again). Thank you!
This was wonderful..first night with pasta, second night as meatball hoagie. Thanks for always giving me an idea what to cook and its always good!
Very much as I make it, but I use a bit of olive oil too. There is an Italian restaurant we love in Baltimore’s Little Italy and I have been trying to recreate it (and their house salads) for years. Seeing your post made me want it again. It’s great with home grown garlic!
Can’t wait to try this on my new husband 🥰
Simply the best garlic bread ever!
If I wanted to make this ahead, could I make the butter mixture and keep that in the fridge overnight? And then just spread that on the baguette and bake as instructed when I want to serve? Trying to limit the steps I need to take day of for a small dinner party.
I recently tried the perfect garlic bread recipe from smittenkitchen.com and it was just that, perfect! The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the garlic butter was the perfect complement. The recipe is easy to follow, and it turned out great. I highly recommend giving this recipe a try, it’s a great side dish for any meal. If you’re looking for more delicious and easy to make recipes, check out my blog quick low carb dinner recipes
Made this tonight! So delish! Paired it with the meatballs (also perfect)